Good Boots?

[RTII]

I work in the oilfield down here and tried most brand of boots, redwings are absolutely the most durable, but are just to heavy. My company buys us a pair every year so I choose wolverines which don't last as long but are much more comfortable.

+1 on the above post. I wear wolverines to work because they are lighter and more comfortable than redwings to me. My last pair of redwings lasted 4 years. Was glad when they wore out and I got back into the wolverines. That being said, I wear danners around the house and property and consider them the most comfortable pair of boots I've ever worn. These are more outdoor boots rather than work boots so I don't know if they make a steal toe or not.

 

[dodge man]

I like Redwings, although I've had good luck with Wolverines also.

 

[RobertN]

I have two pair of boots.
First is my "work" boot; Redwing Logger, which happens to be NFPA approved Product Detail

My other is pair is my wildlanf fire boots, a set of Danners.

Both are comfortable and have held up very well.

 

[clemsonfor]

You guys that wear the loggers, have you tried to switch to a normal sole? You will lose at lest 3 pounds of weight i bet. Unless your on steep slopes they serve NO purpose.

 

[Depmandog]

I read everyone's posts. Only one or so mentioned repairing their "worn-out" boots.

When I was 18, I had the opportunity to work in a shoe repair shop for several months. I knew it wasn't a lifetime career choice, but something I wanted to experience, and to learn.

I had all of the minor repairs, like replacing heels on women's high heel shoes, stitching up, and patching holes in leather.

The owner - wow what a talented guy, he could replace boots soles in his sleep. After he was done, I would recolor the leather and put a shine back on those old work boots. Pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment. I got a kick every time the guys would come in to pick up their boots and argue I had given them the wrong pair.

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

 

[RobertN]

We have one in our little town. My wife and I both have had boots re-soled. I would recommend it too, on a quality pair of boots.

I don't think it would work as well on the cheap imports though...

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

 

[RobertN]

Oh, me and the other guys at the fire station use Obenauf's leather preservative/conditioner on our boots. Originated by an Idaho wildland firefighter to stand up to the ash and goo from wildland firefighting.

Obenauf's Leather Care

 

[dmccarty]

Depends on how serious your needs are. When I was a working forester, White's and Buffalo were the best; Buffalo is now out of business and the name is used by a German outfit. Westco (West Coast) were next. Danner and Redwings? Good for about one summer of working in the woods every day. I started with Redwings and by the end of the first summer they had stretched so much that on a side slope they would often twist out from under my heel. A guy on my crew had holes in his Danners at the end of the summer. First fire paycheck I got in 1975 went to Whites. I still have them, but I also bought another pair, caulked (the ones with the spikes on the bottom). Bought 2 pair of those so I could alternate day by day to let a wet pair dry out. White has rebuilt them about 3 times.

I had a decent boot a few boot purchases back. I think it was Iron Age. Good quality but after awhile the heel had stretched out and I was walking on the side of the boot. On flat land.

The current boots I bought are ok but not great fitting. Quality is good but does not fit quite right. Another pair of boots fit ok but the quality of the boot is not so good but they work well enough for light duty work.

I bought an excellent quality hiking boot 15-20 years ago. Those things are really nice but HEAVY. I don't wear them often but when I do you feel them even on a short 3-4 miles hike. For the price I paid for them I should have bought custom boots but I did not know about custom boots when I bought them.

If I can time it right and if I have the money I think the next boot is going to be White. I ordered their catalog a few years ago and their is a dealer just up the road. I guess I should starting saving my quarters. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[clemsonfor]

I read everyone's posts. Only one or so mentioned repairing their "worn-out" boots.

When I was 18, I had the opportunity to work in a shoe repair shop for several months. I knew it wasn't a lifetime career choice, but something I wanted to experience, and to learn.

I had all of the minor repairs, like replacing heels on women's high heel shoes, stitching up, and patching holes in leather.

The owner - wow what a talented guy, he could replace boots soles in his sleep. After he was done, I would recolor the leather and put a shine back on those old work boots. Pretty easy to do if you have the right equipment. I got a kick every time the guys would come in to pick up their boots and argue I had given them the wrong pair.

I know that there are fewer shops around...but they are around. If your soles are shot, but the upper leather is still good - and they fit you like a glove, consider having them resoled.

Problem for many of us is that we like our boots Waterproof! I can deal with leaks for a while then get tired of it and buy a new pair to get my waterproofing back. NOt sure that they can put new gortex lineing back in the boots for a reasonable price? I dont want the greeses and oils that like i siad keep your feet dry in wet grass, i want to be able to stand in a creek and have dry feet, why cause sometimes i have to cross a creek and i cant jump and there is not log to span it, that or there are puddles all over that i have to walk thru.

 

[wedge40]

My first pair of Redwing boots lasted over 15 years. But then again I'm a smaller guy and tip the scales at about 130#s. I bought a second pair a few years back and they look brand new. I believe they are some sort of Harley workboot. Product Detail



Wedge